The Surprisingly Dark History Of Chippendales

Publish date: 2024-05-06

Chippendales is a uniquely American creation, but the man who originally founded the business immigrated to the United States from India. As reported by Los Angeles Magazine, Somen "Steve" Banerjee came to this country like so many others seeking the American Dream—and he worked hard at it, taking a job as a janitor and working his way up to owning several Mobil gas stations in Los Angeles.

In 1975, Banerjee decided to expand his business empire. With his business partner Bruce Nahin, he purchased a local L.A. nightclub, naming it Destiny II. Banerjee had a dream of being the owner of a "classy" club, a place he could walk into and feel like a big shot.

But as Eagles Vine reports, that business decision didn't work out as planned—the club failed to attract crowds and become a money maker. Nahin and Banerjee tried several desperate gimmicks to get people into the club, including backgammon games, dinner theater, wrestling nights—even magic shows. But nothing worked. But that didn't stop Banerjee, who had never shied away from hard work as he made his way up the ladder of success—and the final gimmick they tried, an all-male strip show, launched the club into instant success.

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